LAUSR

CONTEXT Perceived stress and burnout are significant concerns among athletic trainers (ATs) due to growing professional demands. The global pandemic brought additional stressors, especially for health care providers, including the need to learn and integrate new skill sets to continue providing safe and effective patient care. OBJECTIVE Explore the influence of COVID-19 stressors on ATs engaged in patient care. DESIGN Cross-sectional. SETTING Internet survey. PARTICIPANTS 429 ATs (age=33±9 years; experience=11±9 years; 74 men, 355 women) currently providing patient care. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES We recruited participants from social media sites to complete a questionnaire with the Coronavirus Anxiety Scale (CAS), Maslach Burnout Inventory-Human Services Survey for Medical Personnel (MBI-HSS MP), and qualitative questions related to the impact of COVID-19. We calculated correlations between CAS and MBI-HSS MP composite scores (emotional exhaustion, personal accomplishment, depolarization) and used regression to explore if CAS scores could be predicted by vaccination status (vaccinated and unvaccinated), sex, and MBI-HSS MP composite scores. We analyzed the qualitative data using a phenomenological, inductive approach and used multianalyst triangulation and peer review as trustworthiness strategies. RESULTS Significant correlations existed between CAS and MBI composite scores (P<.001). Emotional exhaustion (P<.001) and depersonalization (P=.008) explained 28% of the variance in CAS scores (F2,405=81.29, P<.001). Three major areas of focus emerged including impacts on wellness, emphasis on the value of athletic training, and the lessons learned and future innovation to inform potential long-term changes in the athletic training profession. CONCLUSIONS Key factors of emotional exhaustion and depersonalization during the pandemic may exacerbate the potential for burnout among ATs. The pandemic impacted ATs' wellness, changed perceptions of AT, and altered operating procedures. Healthy coping strategies and organizational support are suggested for those struggling.